Humanitarian needs rising as residents flee fighting in Syria

As the Syria conflict and its impact on civilians continue to escalate, humanitarian needs are rising as residents flee fighting and seek safety in schools run by the UN agency assisting Palestinian refugees –UNRWA.

The agency says it remains gravely concerned about the safety of the Palestine refugee population in Syria and appeals to all parties to refrain from actions that endanger civilian lives and property.

UNRWA says it is exerting all efforts to respond to the humanitarian needs of Palestine refugees. Over the past several days, Syrians and the over 150,000 Palestine refugees resident in Yarmouk, a suburb of Damascus, have experienced particularly intense armed engagements involving the use of heavy weapons and aircraft.

UNRWA is now housing over 2,600 displaced persons in its facilities and Damascus area schools, and the number is growing rapidly.

Palestine refugees are also fleeing beyond Damascus. Although the scale and direction of this movement cannot be precisely determined, some have made their way to Lebanon. Initial reports indicate that well over 2,000 people have attempted or are attempting to enter Lebanon.